Charles City Kids Day activities on tap for July 3

To The Press

July Fourth activities will look a lot different this year due to COVID-19, however there will still be a number of Kids Day activities to enjoy in Charles City on Friday, July 3rd.

Traditionally there has been a Kids Day parade, kids games and inflatable rides in Central Park. Those will not take place because of public health and social distancing concerns during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Soifer Family McDonald’s and First Citizens Bank are teaming up to provide a Kids Day alternative, though, and create a one-block experience. Vehicles will drive north along the Jackson Street side of Central Park, enjoying emergency response vehicles, a DJ, and bubbles before picking up goodie bags for kids under the age of 12.

Kids do need to be present and remain in the vehicle to receive their goodie bags from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday (or while supplies last).

Families are encouraged to decorate their vehicles for a chance to win “Most Red, White, and Blue,” “Best Use of Household Items” and judge’s choice vehicle awards.

Kids are welcomed to dress up like Little Lady Liberty and Mini Uncle Sam for a chance to win a best of summer McDonald’s prize basket. Each contest can be entered by sending a photo of entries in to the Soifer Family McDonald’s Facebook page or by posting them on Facebook with the hashtag #ccproud2020.

Vehicles should turn onto Jackson Street heading north from Main Street and Riverside Drive.

The 200 and 300 blocks of North Jackson Street will be closed off just for the Kids Drive-By Party. Families with decorated vehicles are being encouraged afterwards to drive past area nursing homes and care facilities to wave hello to residents after picking up their goodie bags.

Following the Kids Drive-By Party, there will be a variety of youth activities offered around the community.

There will be youth sand volleyball at the Comet Bowl beginning at 11 a.m. and Kids Day specials at Bayou Bend Mini Golf from 1-3 p.m.
Then from 2-4 p.m., the Charles City Parks & Recreation Department and Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering free games to play at Lion’s Field Park, including whiffle ball and kick ball on the two ball diamonds.

“We want to give kids a chance to run around and have some fun, but do so in a spread-out environment where everyone isn’t in real close proximity to one another,” said Community Development Director Mark Wicks.

“Traditionally we would be holding a lot of activities in Central Park, but that won’t be the case this year with the COVID-19 situation,” he said. “Lion’s Field Park is more spread out and kids will be able to pick and choose what they want to do in different areas of the park.”

Other available activities Friday will include river tubes, canoes, bicycles and flatwater kayak rentals at Rapids End Outfitters from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Comet Bowl will be open for bowling from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition, the Floyd County Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as well as the Charles City Arts Center from 1-5 p.m.

There will also be food trucks available around town starting at 11 a.m. at the Schueth Ace Hardware lot, Central Park, near Lion’s Field Park and Hy-Vee will have an outdoor food booth in front of its store. Saint Charles Brewing Company will also host a food truck beginning at 4 p.m. that day, and the Charles Theatre will be selling popcorn out front from 5:30-8 p.m.

A full Fourth of July Celebration schedule for July 3-5 is available at charlescitychamber.com. For more information, please contact the Chamber at 641 228-4234 or email info@charlescitychamber.com.